Master Plan or Master's Plan?

Well this has been quite a weekend. No matter where I turned there was clear instruction and direction either from God directly or from teachers around me. This was the first weekend in a long time that I have spent pretty much its entirety in pursuit of Him. In different ways, a seemingly common theme was always present-obedience.

Have you ever been paralyzed by planning or over-thinking? You know-the kind like when Katrina devastated New Orleans and something as logistically simple as just getting some lousy water dropped was stagnated because it had to be considered and planned in the context of the "greater plan". Sometimes even in our workplace, home life and churches we paralyze our efforts by thinking even the smaller "micro-manageable things" need to be thoroughly planned out. That's more often than not (in my experience) a recipe for never-never land. What does all this have to do with my weekend? A message I was getting a lot and in several ways was that we need not always wait to be put on God's path and that we should be more determined and put ourselves on His path.

God has already called us to His purpose. I'm not saying we shouldn't be obedient to authority-by no means am I saying that. I know God will support a good plan. I know God supports vision-casting that is reasonable. I also think it must aggravate Him deeply when we get way too wrapped up in planning what He has already planned and vision-casting what He has already cast. People are hungry so GO! People need to be told the good news. Don't invite them over, take it to them! GO! The great commission was not/is not about sending invitations. I believe Jesus said "Go". So what are you and I waiting for- a plan...a vision? We have one. His plan-His vision. What more do you need? In this case-nothing. Wait for a master plan if you want but the Master's plan is already drafted so go! Go like there is no tomorrow because there may in fact not be one for somebody.

Fools Gold or the Kingdom of Heaven?

I've been up since 3:00 a.m. this morning. That's nuts I know, especially on a Saturday when I can sleep in but choose not to. I have been reading this morning and listening for insight and wisdom. I've done a lot of thinking and reflecting on things as I read (this behavior is known to many as A.D.D.). I prefer to call it a blessing. It seems whenever I'm deeply engaged with God, poverty and suffering dominate our connection. Sure-these things deeply concern God...without question you could say that these things are what matter the most to Him when it comes to our conduct and compassion for one another.

As I got deeper in thought and questioning what God expected me to do with this, I think He wants me to keep mindful of those around me as well as those distant from me as both are within reach one way or another. On a larger proportion my attention was drawn to our friends Troy and Shari serving as missionaries in Mongolia. I feel led to honor them this morning and thank God for them. Their story makes me want to do more, to be better at being the hands and feet of the Lord...to stop being content with what I have and trade in my fools gold for real treasure. Troy and Shari not only found the treasure-they sold most all of what they had to get it and I'm sure consider the transaction to have been a deal heavily in their favor. Matthew 13:44
"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field."

When I read that verse, for me, "fight the good fight" just comes up short. "Fight the good fight" just seems to have an aftertaste of "adequacy." In the midst of suffering and poverty all around us people raise their fist to heaven and cry to God "why do you let this happen" and yet we have no right to ask that. God on the other hand has every right to point at you and me and ask that.

I suppose some of us can do more for starters and instead of asking ourselves "how much am I expected to do or how much am I expected to give?" We should say more often "how much can I do and how much can I give?" Maybe if attitudes about serving and giving radically begin to change among Christians in a big way we might finally realize that fools gold has no value because it never did.

Our New Church Home

Well, I said we were going to post something when Kristi and I settled on our new church home so here it is. My intent is not to do a sales-pitch; I just want to be informative. If you are seeking or just curious, there are a few links below. Those of you that know our heart will see quite clearly why Kristi and I were drawn to Jacob’s Well in Plano. Though “The Well” is only a couple of years old it is quite mature. With land already acquired, it is hoped that the church building will be underway in the not too distant future. We are very excited to be a part of an extremely dynamic family of believers. Kristi and I would be happy to share more with you if you like. Just call or email.

He called-we answered; and we are excited about what God has planned for us-wherever and whenever.

What is Jacob’s Well?

Jacob’s Well Home Makeover project reported by Channel 2 News

Other community involvement

Want to know more?

92 year old preacher

While watching a little TV on Sunday instead of going to church, I watched a church in Atlanta honoring one of its senior pastors who had been retired many years. He was 92 at that time and I wondered why the church even bothered to ask the old gentleman to preach at that age.

After a warm welcome, introduction of this speaker, and as the applause quieted down, he rose from his high back chair and walked slowly, with great effort and a sliding gait to the podium. Without a note or written paper of any kind he placed both hands on the pulpit to steady himself and then quietly and slowly he began to speak....

"When I was asked to come here today and talk to you, your pastor asked me to tell you what was the greatest lesson ever learned in my 50-odd years of preaching. I thought about it for a few days and boiled it down to just one thing that made the most difference in my life and sustained me through all my trials. The one thing that I could always rely on when tears and heartbreak and pain and fear and sorrow paralyzed me.... the only thing that would comfort was this verse......... .....

"Jesus loves me this I know.
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong,
we are weak but He is strong.....
Yes, Jesus loves me....
The Bible tells me so."

When he finished, the church was quiet. You actually could hear his foot steps as he shuffled back to his chair. I don't believe I will ever forget it.

A pastor once stated, "I always noticed that it was the adults who chose the children's hymn 'Jesus Loves Me' (for the children of course) during a hymn sing, and it was the adults who sang the loudest because I could see they knew it the best."

"Senior version of Jesus Loves Me"

Here is a new version just for us who have white hair or no hair at all. For us over middle age (or even those almost there) and all you others, check out this newest version of Jesus Loves Me..

JESUS LOVES ME

Jesus loves me, this I know,
Though my hair is white as snow
Though my sight is growing dim,
Still He bids me trust in Him.
(CHORUS)
YES, JESUS LOVES ME... YES, JESUS LOVES ME..
YES, JESUS LOVES ME, FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.

Though my steps are oh, so slow,
With my hand in His I'll go
On through life, let come what may,
He'll be there to lead the way.
(CHORUS)

When the nights are dark and long,
In my heart He puts a song..
Telling me in words so clear,
"Have no fear, for I am near."
(CHORUS)

When my work on earth is done,
And life's victories have been won.
He will take me home above,
Then I'll understand His love.
(CHORUS)

I love Jesus, does He know?
Have I ever told Him so?
Jesus loves to hear me say,
That I love Him every day.
(CHORUS)

The Sun Always Rises Above The Fog

Wow! What a couple of weeks this has been; I was a seeker and I was found, I was on my knees and lifted, I was of fogged mind and was given clarity, I called-He answered. I was a bit of a mess and in a pit of sorts. A fire that once burned was barely lit. In all my years of playing with fire-literally, I can tell you with certainty that though your tinder may be completely dry; if you are trying to start a fire in the midst of damp air, it's not only harder to start a fire but it is harder to maintain a flame as well.

I'm excited about what God has in store for me. The vision is clear and so close. He spoke to me this morning and put on my heart that which He laid on David's to speak:

Psalm 30: 8-12

To you, O LORD, I called;
to the Lord I cried for mercy:

⁹ "What gain is there in my destruction,
in my going down into the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it proclaim your faithfulness?

¹⁰ Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me;
O LORD, be my help."

¹¹ You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

¹² that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.

You can count on this simple yet important truth my friends:

The sun ALWAYS rises above the fog.

Climate Shift

A region's latitude has a great effect on its climate and weather. Latitude more loosely determines tendencies in prevailing winds and other physical characteristics of geographical locations. That is the formal definition of latitude applicable to our planet Earth.

I studied this definition and it struck me right away, something very interesting and relevant to some issues that have plagued me. The following is the above definition but with a few words replaced.

A person's attitude has a great effect on his/her behavior and influence. Attitude more loosely determines tendencies in prevailing behavior and influential attributes of your character. That is the formal definition; my personal assessment applicable to my own geographical coordinates.

What does this all mean? It means I've realized that in order for me to grow (in several ways) other changes are necessary that hadn't occurred to me until last week. For me it became clear that in order for me to experience a change in attitude, it was going to have to include a change in latitude. I realize this raises some questions perhaps but as more pieces of the puzzle get laid in place, I will shed more light on what's going on.

Stay tuned. The fog is lifting and some good stuff is coming.

Think for Yourself - wikiHow

Think for Yourself - wikiHow